The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa Akpolokpolo I, is dead.He was 93 years old. He died on Friday afternoon.
The Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, announced his death few minutes ago.
Oba Erediawua took on the title and duties as traditional head of state and rightful heir of the ancient Benin Empire when he was crowned, succeeding his father, Oba Akenzua II, in a ceremony held in Benin City, 23rd March 1979.
Erediauwa was the 38th Oba of Benin.He attended Edo College, Benin City, Government College, Ibadan then Yaba College, before going to King’s College, Cambridge to study Law and Administration. He joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service in 1957 as a District Officer, later moving to the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973.
For a short period he was the regional representative of Gulf Oil. In 1975 he was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Bendel State during the Military Administration of Major-General George Agbazika Innih.
In his condolence message, President Muhammadu Buhari, said, he received with sadness and an immense feeling of great national loss, news of the passing away of the highly revered traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.
On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari extends sincere condolences to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the people of Benin Kingdom and Edo State on the passage of the beloved monarch who had ruled over his people since his ascension to the throne in 1979.
The President extends special commiserations to Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa and other members of the late Oba’s immediate family.
President Buhari assures them of the fullest sympathy and solidarity of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they mourn Oba Erediauwa who will always be remembered as one of the most outstanding traditional rulers of his era.
As the late Oba goes to join his very illustrious royal ancestors, President Buhari believes that his place of honour in the history of the Benin Kingdom and Nigeria has been assured by his long and highly successful career as a public servant, administrator and chief custodian of the much celebrated culture and traditions of his people.
The President prays that God Almighty will receive the late Oba’s soul and grant him peaceful repose.
He also prays that God will grant Crown Prince Erediauwa the wisdom and courage he will require to build on the laudable legacies of Oba Erediauwa.
Similarly, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, in a statement, said: “Our hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief, at the announcement of the passing on to glory of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, our highly revered Oba.”
Oshiomhole, expressed sadness over the passage of Oba Erediawua “a distinguished Edo numero uno, an accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary Omo n’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense class, finesse and integrity to traditional institution in Edo state and the country at large.”
